Transformation of lymphocytes by herpesvirus papio

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Abstract
Cotton‐topped (CT) or white‐lipped (WL) marmoset lymphocytes were transformed in vitro with herpesvirus papio (HVP) into permanently growing lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCL). Five of 9 HVP‐transformed CT cell lines contained cells with antigens reacting with antibodies to Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) capsid antigen (VCA) and/or to EBV‐induced early antigens (EA). None of 12 WL LCL revealed such antigen‐producing cells. Cells from both groups of cultures failed to react with antibodies to the EBV‐specified nuclear antigen (EBNA). Exposure of baboon circulating lymphocytes to X‐irradiated HVP or EBV‐carrying cells, or to suspensions of EBV resulted in establishment of LCL which all contained VCA and/or EA‐positive, but no EBNA‐positive cells. Nuclear antigens were undetectable also with anti‐VCA‐positive sera from baboons, chimpanzees, or other non‐human primates. DNA‐complementary RNA (cRNA) filter hybridization with EBV cRNA showed that with one exception transformed CT or WL marmoset cells contained at least 1‐2 virus genome equivalents per cell, while at least 12‐25 virus genome equivalents per cell were detected in transformed baboon cells. These data need confirmation by DNA‐DNA reassociation kinetics.